Cyclamen

/Cyclamen/

Cyclamen

Your plant belongs to the Cyclamen genus of which there are many species and hybrids. A native of Europe, the Mediterranean region and Asia, these plants are prized for their flowers and attractive clumps of green or variegated foliage. Depending on the cultivar, the flowers look like shooting stars or butterflies and come in hues of pink, red, magenta, white or bi-colors. In your area does best in partial shade or filtered light. Water when the top of the soil feels dry. Continue to care for Cyclamen until the foliage yellows and dies back. From tubers, it will go dormant in the summer, but will return in the cooler seasons. These can be tricky to re-bloom: let the bulbs rest in their pots/containers for a month and then begin watering again.

By | 2016-04-10T02:21:33-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Please Dont Prune

This is a juniper and junipers generally don't respond well to pruning unless it's done by a practiced professional. (And we don't mean a mow-and-blow guy who comes in with a chain saw or electric trimmer.) To prune them correctly they should be cut back to individual crotches, removing entire limbs and preserving the natural shape of the shrub. These junipers will continue to get larger; they're slow growers, but can easily reach 5-6 feet. It seems like you're dissatisfied with the size of many of your trees and shrubs which indicates either that you moved into a house with existing landscaping or that someone planted these without knowing what their ultimate size would be. Maybe you should remove them and plant something that will stay closer to the size you want.

By | 2016-04-10T01:15:17-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Cosmos Damage

It's pretty hard to tell at this stage, what might have happened to the plant as a seedling. We have more questions than answers. Sorry!

Was it crowded or too close to other plants? Is there chewing damage or rot on the stem? We can't see that from this photo. The distortion could be caused by application of some fertilizers/insecticides when the plant was young. Maybe there was some "drift" from a product being applied? Thrips and leafhoppers can be problematic, but so can viruses.

Did it bloom? How about other cosmos in the garden? In spite of it's contorted stem, the rest of it looks pretty decent.

If you have some of these answers and want to send another photo of the gnarled/twisted area, please write back.

Thanks so much.

By | 2016-04-09T22:41:50-07:00 April 9th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Phalaenopsis Problem

Some care tips for your Phalaenopsis: It is best to thoroughly water at the base of the plant, and allow to drain out completely; getting moisture in the center of the leaves may lead to foliar rot and allowing the plant to sit in water could lead to root rot; Phalaenopsis need bright, indirect light not direct sunlight as this may lead to sun scald; fertilize with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants following the directions on the package; orchids love humidity - to increase the humidity level around the plant by about 70%, set up a humidity tray - a plastic saucer filled with gravel, then fill the saucer with water, set the orchid on a brick so that it does not sit in water.

By | 2016-04-09T22:30:18-07:00 April 9th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Blueberry Problem

You might want to review your water practices. Blueberries like ample amounts of water. Blueberries also require very acidic soil, 4.5-5.5 pH. You can fertilize with cottonseed meal to gradually bring down the pH number, but it is a slow process. We would suggest a pH test for this area. Blueberries are very shallow rooted and do not tolerate any competition from other plants. They need to be mulched. Blueberries like full sun. Blueberries fruit according to the number of "chill hours" that they receive in the winter months. You need to know the variety of blueberry that you have planted.The following is a good article to introduce you to the concept of chill hours http://www.groworganic.com/organic-gardening/articles/find-your-thrill-with-blueberry-chill-hours

By | 2016-04-09T22:21:14-07:00 April 9th, 2016|Fruit Plants & Trees|0 Comments
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Aphids

Based on the numbers, congregation, and color of them, (though they do come in many colors including red, black and brown) these are Aphids. These small sap-sucking insects reproduce very rapidly. You will note larger and smaller ones. The larger ones are the females. They are born pregnant as are all their daughters. Aphids may be controlled with hard water sprays to knock them off, and insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils. We've included a web link with more info to help you control the Aphids (and any ants). Use caution and always follow the label directions when using any kind of pesticidal product.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/QT/aphidscard.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7411.html
(scroll down to the section on Trees and Shrubs for control of Ants on plants)

By | 2016-04-09T22:07:23-07:00 April 9th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Jerusalem Cherry

Native to Peru and Ecuador, they can survive frosts and cold weather, and is grown as a houseplant. Jerusalem Cherries should be planted in a rich, well drained potting soil, and kept moist during their active growing cycle. They grow best in a bright, sunny window. (south facing)
Feed with a liquid 5-10-5 'blooming houseplant' fertilizer every two weeks while the plant is growing vigorously.
Discontinue feeding as soon as your plant has finished blooming.
After all the 'cherries' have dropped, cut your plant back drastically, and next spring, after all danger of frost has passed, plant it outside in a partly sunny part of your garden.
These are related to tomatoes but are highly poisonous to dogs, cats, and some birds. Do not eat them.

By | 2016-04-09T21:34:19-07:00 April 9th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Blue Puya

Belonging to the Bromeliad family of plants, this succulent is endemic to the Andes of Chile and prized for its stalks of spring blooming brilliant blue flowers and orange stamens. Does best in full sun and is drought tolerant once established. Attracts nectar feeding birds and bees. The particular Puya photographed may be commonly known as sapphire tower, P. alpestris, but we cannot be positive. If it is, the plant forms a 2-3 ft. tall clump or rosettes of foliage that are recurved and light green in color on top and silvery-green underneath. As with many Puyas, the metallic-sheened, turquoise-blue flowers with orange stamens on 3-4 ft. stalks are spectacular in spring, its normal bloom season. Can tolerate short periods of temperatures down to 28 degrees F.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:00-07:00 April 9th, 2016|Succulents|1 Comment
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Chewing Insect

The problem may be chewing insects rather than sucking insects. Perhaps some type of beetle or caterpillar? Look to see if you see any sign of insects. If there are small black dots, these might be excretions for the insects. You can spray with an organic control effective against chewing insects such as Bt or Spinosad. Once the leaves and flowers are damaged, they will not recover but try to control future infestation. Bt is a contact insecticide and Spinosad has a 7-10 day residual. Spray Spinosad in the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried on the plant it is safe for beneficials. Suggest you show your photo or perhaps capture a few in a bottle as well as snip off a damaged frond for a local garden center to confirm their identity.

By | 2016-04-09T16:42:50-07:00 April 9th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Tree Grape Namibian Grape

A slow-growing succulent with a huge swollen trunk (caudiciform) and a member of the grape family. These plants occur in Namibia where they are exposed to very dry and hot conditions, and have therefore evolved and adapted very well in order to survive. The presence of white, drooping, papery pieces of bark on the yellow green stems is very typical of this species. In summer this helps to reflect away the sunlight in order to keep the plant cool. Needs full sun and very well-draining soil. As with all succulents, be careful not to over-water. These plants can survive with very little water and too often plants die as a result of too much. Water when soil has become fairly dry and protect from frost. Fruits are somewhat toxic and inedible.

By | 2016-04-09T15:20:36-07:00 April 9th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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